Doctors are natural problem solvers, doing this work daily as they care for patients. They are data-driven and passionate about achieving optimal outcomes. Creating healthcare solutions is central to Henry Ford Innovations’ (HFI) mission, which is why we consider Henry Ford Medical Group physicians among our most vital partners. This collaborative model of physician engagement at all phases of the innovation development pathway is unique to HFI.
Our physician champions: Leaders in clinical innovation
The Henry Ford Medical Group (HFMG) stands as one of the nation’s largest group practices, comprising 1,900 physicians and researchers across more than 40 specialties. In addition, hundreds of top-level private practice physicians are affiliated with and enjoy privileges at Henry Ford facilities. This includes providers at Ascension Michigan, which officially combined with Henry Ford in October 2024.
Nearly all HFI projects include a physician champion making this clinical leadership central to our success. Their presence provides the critical foundation for validating whether an innovation will benefit patients and function effectively in real-world healthcare settings.
Innovation requires collaboration, iteration and creative thinking – even when projects don’t proceed as initially envisioned. For example, we explored using AI computer vision to determine pathology markers for cancer at the point of care, aiming to improve treatment and outcomes.
Our oncologists, surgeons and pathologists were excited about the potential. Multiple
stakeholder discussions revealed, however, that while the technology was great, the pilot study as designed that would define implementation was not feasible. This “failure” proved valuable, redirecting our focus toward more promising solutions. Our physician partners helped define these alternatives and presented findings to inventors for co-development with HFI and HFMG, embodying the scientific method’s iterative natural.
Success stories demonstrate the power of physician-led innovation. Minimally invasive
gynecologic surgeon Annmarie Vilkins, DO, identified a teaching challenge during laparoscopic procedures: the need to communicate precisely with student doctors while maintaining the sterile field. Working with Michigan State University biomedical engineering doctoral students and HFI, she developed LaparAssist – a wireless, hands-free, foot-pedal activated, head-mounted laser pointer. This device enables surgeons to indicate specific locations on laparoscopic monitors while maintaining the sterile field. The working prototype now seeks investment partners for further development.
Another impactful collaboration paired HFMG disease specialists with Henry Ford information technology innovators and an industry partner to apply natural language processing (NLP) to cancer care documentation. This comprehensive study revealed that patients facing language barriers, such as limited English proficiency or health literacy challenges, often encountered additional obstacles to care that affected their outcomes. These social determinants of health – including transportation difficulties and food insecurity – significantly impact treatment success.
This discovery led HFI to partner with industry leaders to develop solutions that improve care access and identify barriers early in the treatment process.
Fostering innovation and attracting talent
The innovative culture at Henry Ford and its Medical Group serves as a powerful recruitment tool for top medical talent. Physicians are drawn to our environment because it offers the freedom to explore better healthcare delivery methods and improve patient outcomes. HFI provides academically minded clinicians with the infrastructure and support needed to transform promising ideas into implemented technologies.
HFI’s success stems from leveraging our physicians’ natural curiosity and deep understanding of healthcare challenges. Whether physicians approach us with their own concepts or champion external innovations, their expertise proves invaluable. The most successful projects consistently feature passionate physician champions who combine subject matter expertise with the persistence to navigate the complex journey from idea to implementation.
This physician-centric approach distinguishes HFI in the healthcare innovation landscape. By maintaining focus on clinical expertise and patient outcomes, we continue to advance solutions that meaningfully improve healthcare delivery and patient lives. Our physician champions remain the driving force behind transforming promising ideas into real-world healthcare innovations.
